FULL SUPPLEMENT: Androgens, Androgen Receptors, and the Skin

March 2020 | Volume 19 | Issue 3 | Department | 27 | Copyright © March 2020


Published online February 25, 2020

Kircik, L.H. et al.

Abstract
Of the four primary pathogenic factors that drive acne vulgaris—androgen excess, increased sebum production, faulty keratinization, and overgrowth of C. acnes—androgen excess has been the most elusive therapeutic target. Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) have direct effect on circulating hormones, but their potential use is limited to a subset of women. As such, a sizable portion of the population affected by acne vulgaris cannot even consider treatment with OCPs. While these systemic agents are generally associated with a low risk profile and have a history of safe and effective use, they are not entirely risk-free. Indirect androgen modulation through the use of spironolactone has become increasingly popular. Again, while generally safe and effective, this systemic treatment is not without risks and contraindications and it is also limited to a subset of female patients.

ARTICLES

In this supplement, featured articles include:

Game Changer in Acne Treatment

An introduction to this month's supplement on Androgens. Of the four primary pathogenic factors that drive acne vulgaris—androgen excess, increased sebum production, faulty keratinization, and overgrowth of C. acnes—androgen excess has been the most elusive therapeutic target. Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) have direct effect on circulating hormones, but their potential use is limited to a subset of women.

Read the article here.

Androgens, Androgen Receptors, and the Skin: From the Laboratory to the Clinic With Emphasis on Clinical and Therapeutic Implications

The effects of androgens on human skin include growth and differentiation of sebaceous glands, terminal hair growth, epidermal barrier function, wound healing, and modification of the cutaneous microbiome. Androgens exert their activities via ligand formation with intracytoplasmic androgen receptors which can then translocate to the nucleus and interact with genetic androgen response elements to influence signaling cascades. Differences in tissue distribution and activities of enzymes that modify androgen synthesis and catabolism, variations related to gender and ethnicity/race, and genetic polymorphisms that affect androgen receptor functionality directly impact androgen physiology and the pathophysiology associated with a variety of disease states. This manuscript reviews the fundamentals of androgen physiology, androgen synthesis and catabolism in local skin tissue, androgen receptor activity, as well as the impact of genetic polymorphisms and gender. Emphasis is placed on the roles of androgenic activity in sebaceous gland development, sebum production, and the pathophysiology of acne vulgaris.

Read the article here.